MINSK, 12 July (BelTA) – Belarus' Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei explained why Belarus had shut down the border with Ukraine in an interview with RT TV channel, BelTA has learned.
“The border is open for tourists and ordinary citizens. When we announced that we were closing the border, we meant that we were going to enhance border security in view of the recent events. The facts speak for themselves. I am talking about the recent developments related to the attempts to smuggle weapons, to stage terrorist attacks, anarchists, and so on,” Vladimir Makei explained.
“The closed border will not hinder business, tourism, or movement of ordinary citizens. At the same time, we will take harsh measures to counteract organized crime and thwart attempts to stage terrorist attacks,” Vladimir Makei stressed.
BelTA reported earlier that on 2 July, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko ordered the State Border Committee of Belarus to close off the border with Ukraine. “I am astounded by the amount of weapons being smuggled from Ukraine to Belarus. I mentioned it last year. Many didn't believe me. This is why I've instructed the border guards service to close off the border with Ukraine,” the head of state said.
According to the president, only civilians will be able to enter Belarus. “We will not take all the others as prisoners,” he warned.
